Post the big merger with Vistara, Air India is planning to lease six Airbus A320neo narrow-body aircraft and six Boeing 777-300ER widebodies as additions to its existing fleet. The aircraft are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2023. These 12 aircraft will be an addition to the 30 aircraft leased earlier this year that included 21 Airbus A320s, four Airbus A321, and five Boeing 777-200LR widebodies.
Air India's B777-300ER will have a four-class configuration first, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, and will be deployed to connect Indian metro cities with additional international destinations.
Commenting on the lease of the aircraft, Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, of Air India, said: "Growing our network is an essential part of Air India's Vihaan.AI transformational journey and we remain committed to increasing connectivity and frequency of flights both domestically and internationally. These additional aircraft leases will support our near-term growth even as we finalize plans to refresh and significantly grow our long-term fleet."
Stepping up on the robust expansion plan chalked out by the Tata Son’s post-acquisition, the airline has also returned 19 grounded aircraft back into commercial operations with plans to induct a few more in the coming days.
Besides recently Air India has also expanded its international operations between Indian cities and key global destinations like Doha, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Birmingham.
The carrier is also set to start direct flights from Delhi to key European cities like Milan, Vienna, and Copenhagen, and from Mumbai to New York, Paris, and Frankfurt.